John Congdon

After eighty years, the trucking industry has lost one of its greatest legends. John Rhodes Congdon, Sr., passed away during the early morning of October 30, 2013, in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Jack Congdon was born the youngest son of Lillian and Earl Everett Congdon on February 17, 1933. He is predeceased by Natalie Neblett Congdon, his loving wife of 58 years. He is survived by his older brother, Earl Congdon (Kitty), his sister-in-law Linda Jo Smith (Earl), his three children Susan Terry, John Congdon, Jr. (Leslie) and Jeff Congdon (Jackie), his nephew Stephen Smith (Paige) and niece Barbara White (Todd), his grandchildren, Lawson Bagwell (Andy), Peter Congdon (Susan), Nat Terry (Mary), Michael Congdon, Whit Congdon (Molly), Mary Congdon, Hunter Terry (Caroline), and Mark Congdon, as well as nine great-grandchildren. He is further survived by two nieces, Karen Pigman, Audrey Congdon, and one nephew, David Congdon.

His extensive family is complemented by the countless number of people, businesses, and charitable foundations that Jack touched during his long and illustrious life. Jack was a student of Augusta Military Academy and a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, where he was the First Captain of the Corps of Cadets. He later served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. After his service in the army, Jack joined his mother and older brother to help build the family trucking businesses of Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. and Old Dominion Truck Leasing, Inc.

Jack Congdon was a Master Mason with Tuckahoe Lodge No. 347 and a Noble of ACCA Temple Shrine in Richmond. He was an active member and past Deacon of River Road Church, Baptist. Jack was a member of the Country Club of Virginia, Indian Creek Country Club, and Ocean Reef Club. He served as president of both River Road Civic Association and Virginia Highway Users Association, and was a proud supporter of the Massey Cancer Center and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Pauley Heart Center.

Jack Congdon is best remembered as a loving and dedicated family man. Known as “Pa-Pa”, he enjoyed spending time with his family at his river home in White Stone, VA. He was a mentor to many and had a heart of gold. His family will always treasure his life lessons and memories.

The family will receive friends at Woody’s Funeral Home, Parham Chapel, on Friday, November 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. Graveside service at Westhampton Memorial Park will be private. The memorial service will be held at River Road Church, Baptist, 8000 River Road, Richmond, VA, 23229, on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at 1 p.m.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sherman Baker for his outstanding care and concern for Jack throughout his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to Massey Cancer Center at P.O. Box 980037, 401 College Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23298